As part of the hiring process, many hiring managers will utilize a behavioral interview technique when conducting job interviews. In response, the interviewers expect answers framed with what’s known as the STAR format. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Learn how to answer these questions and you’ll stand out as an obvious top candidate.

STAR Method Components

• Situation:

  Describe the situation that you were in or the problem that your employer was facing. Choose a specific instance. Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand the context. This situation can be from a previous job, from a volunteer experience, or any relevant event.

• Task:

  Describe what you were asked to do. What part did you play in resolving the issue? Again, describe a specific example, not just a job duty you routinely performed.

• Action:

  Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what you did and your contributions– not the efforts of the team. Don’t tell what you might do, tell what you did. Provide good examples.

• Results:

  What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn? Provide good examples.

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Each company has their own preferences for resume formatting, but the information you should include is pretty standard. Bottom line, you need to show that you have a solid basis of skills that will enable you to contribute as soon as possible without excessive training.

Your recruiter will take care of the formatting as long as you compile the following:

• Your legal first and last name
• Contact information
• Phone number
• Email address
• Physical address
• Job history, starting with your current or most recent position
• Start and end dates of each position
• Names of employers
• Job titles
• Job responsibilities
• Your achievements in each position
• Highest level of education
• GPADates of enrollment
• Name of school or organization
• Official title of degree or certification
• Any other relevant skills or accomplishments

The Perfect Candidate

Ever wonder why some of the most qualified people don’t get job offers? The answer is that it doesn’t matter if you’re the perfect candidate if you don’t show the interviewer want they want. The purpose of an interview is for the interviewer to identify a candidate that has the key desired qualifications and attributes. It sounds intuitive, but too frequently do candidates waste time talking about themselves using attributes they think are important. Make it easy for an interviewer to see that you have what they want.

The Interview Tragedy

The most obvious way to know what the interviewer wants is to… wait for it… read the job description! Please, don’t fall into the trap of reading the title, skimming the requirements, applying, and never returning back to the job posting. As far as qualifications go, it’s no secret what you need to succeed in the position. So, don’t make it a secret to the interviewer that you hold those qualifications.

The Established Attributes

As opposed to the more concrete skills you have, the interviewer is also looking for certain attributes in a candidate. Employers are known for seeking out the qualities below in all of their employees. It’s a great standard to follow when making an impression on any potential employer.

Body Language

Subconsciously, we use our bodies to show how we feel. Likewise, we analyze the body language of others to make intuitive assumptions. Would you want a doctor to perform your surgery if he or she can’t even look you in the eyes beforehand? Even though it has nothing to do with their abilities to operate, you might start to worry that he or she doesn’t see things going too well for you. In contrast, use your mannerisms to show your interviewer that he or she can trust you. Your body language should be respectful, friendly, and confident during an interview.

1. Respectful

Common courtesy begins with respecting personal space. As a rule, don’t touch anyone you meet except when shaking hands. Most people also feel uncomfortable with others standing too close. Constant eye contact can be tricky, but looking down or away during a conversation shows disinterest. Most importantly, never look at your phone at any stage of the interview. Put it away and turn it off, showing that the interview is your top priority.

2. Friendly

Smiles are contagious and if your interviewer is happy, you’re on the right track. Even if you’re talking about your technical skills, smile because you’re happy just to have the opportunity to talk about your skills. Hand gestures also help your interviewer see your passion and follow your train of thought. Lastly, try to keep your body open. This means that your body is facing your interviewer and your arms aren’t crossed. It might sound odd, but open body language sends vibes that you are willing to have a transparent conversation.

Talk the Talk

Nailing the interview isn’t just about what you say; it’s equally important to say it in the right way. Don’t let communication issues stand in the way of the interviewer seeing your abilities by practicing these favorable speaking habits.

1. Say My Name

Use the interviewer’s name every now and again over the course of the interview. People like hearing their name and it shows that you care enough to remember who they are.

2. Speak no Evil

Vulgar language and swear words are not appropriate in a professional setting. No matter how comfortable the interviewer makes you feel, never say something that would make him or her question your professionalism.

3. Find the Balance

Nervous interviewees tend to speak too quickly and loudly. This may because they think it’s bad to not have an answer right away. In reality, it’s better to pause and think for a second than to ramble on hoping to get your point across.

On the other extreme, shyness or a lack of confidence results in interviewees speaking too slowly, quietly, or mumbled.

In either situation, remember: you are just telling another human being about what you can do. Speak to them like you would to any other adult you respect.

It’s uncomfortable for us to have breaks in the flow of conversation even though the right words aren’t always readily available. When our mouths work faster than our brains, we use crutch words to fill the gaps. Some default to the same filler words such as ‘like”, “um”, “so”, or “and”. Other times we use generic phrases, such as “the thing is” or “each and every”. While all of these words and phrases have appropriate places in our speech, they are often unknowingly abused as mere time killers. They become crutches with over-repetition or when they don’t contribute to the essential meaning of the sentence.

Why Crutches Matter in a Job Interview

Unfortunately, many job interviews don’t give you the opportunity to actually show off your skills. Instead, recruiters must judge the way you present yourself in an interview to decide whether or not they trust your words. Crutch phrases and words subtly undermine your perceived intelligence. Whether the interviewer is consciously aware or not, every time you fill silence, you take meaning from the words you actually want him or her to remember.

How to Stop Using Your Fillers

The first step is always recognition. Because the discomfort with pauses lies in our subconscious, we aren’t deliberately using crutches and therefore it becomes almost impossible for us to detect them on our own. To identify your fillers, try recording a conversation of yours or asking those around you to pay attention to your use of words. Once you know your go-to’s, your friends can make a game out of calling you out. Or, you can just try speaking more slowly to avoid your crutches, become more comfortable with silence, and make careful word choices.

For whatever reason, money is a universally uncomfortable topic. If you’ve ever read a birthday card while pretending to ignore the check inside, then you know what we’re talking about. And that’s just a gift from your grandma! Higher stakes come with added pressures and few situations have heavier monetary implications than the recruiting process. After all, who wants to put a dollar amount on their own worth?

There are some pretty compelling reasons not to give a recruiter your price too early as well as not to accept the first number on the table. However, let’s assume either you or the recruiter have already suggested a dollar amount. Let’s discuss how you can justify your salary expectations or counteroffer.

Your Current Salary

The best case scenario to disclose your salary is if you’re making well above other colleagues in your field. You could build a case that your superior abilities put you at the top of the pay scale. Based on the rate at which your salary has increased over time, you would give your recruiter the salary that naturally follows the trend. Even then, you don’t need to share the number on your most recent paycheck.

No matter how desperate you are for a job, you should always know what your getting yourself into. Interviewers typically leave time for and expect you to ask him or her questions about the job opportunity. Not only does the cross-examination provide you with vital information, but it’s also an opportunity for you to demonstrate genuine interest in the job and show competency by asking well-informed questions.

Keep In Mind

There are three precautions to keep in mind when asking questions in an interview. Number one is to never ask a question that you should already know the answer to. Basic company information and industry current events should’ve been researched in your preparation. Secondly, don’t focus too much on salary, benefits, and other demands. Your questions tell about what’s important to you and most companies want someone who is motivated by factors not entirely focused on compensation. Lastly, although we listed 45 questions below, you should spend only about 5-15 minutes discussing your questions. Pick about ten of your top questions and expect about half of them to be answered before you ask them. That leaves 3-5 questions for you to ask.